Troops Kill 21 Terrorists, Foil Kukareta Attack, Rescue Captives — DHQ
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Defence Headquarters, DHQ on Friday said troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria recorded major operational successes across the country, including the neutralisation of 21 terrorists during a foiled attack on Kukareta in Yobe State.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this in Abuja while briefing journalists on ongoing military operations conducted between April 17 and 23, 2026.
Onoja said the terrorists launched a coordinated attack on troops deployed at Kukareta along the Maiduguri–Damaturu Road in Damaturu Local Government Area on April 23, but were repelled following a swift response by reinforced troops.
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He said, “Troops, acting on credible intelligence, had reinforced their positions prior to the attack. The terrorists were decisively engaged and 21 of them were neutralised.”
According to him, troops recovered a significant cache of weapons from the scene, including 12 AK-47 rifles, one General Purpose Machine Gun, one PKT machine gun, one rocket-propelled grenade tube, one 60mm mortar, 16 AK-47 magazines, 143 rounds of ammunition, nine improvised grenades, as well as camcorders, mobile phones, and other items.
The DHQ spokesman said troops of Operation HADIN KAI also recorded other successes in the North-East theatre during the period.
“On April 18, troops made contact with terrorists along the Kirawa–Pulka Road and neutralised two insurgents. On April 19, troops conducted an ambush around Kuranabassa Village in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State and forced terrorists emerging from the Mandara Mountains to withdraw,” he said.
He added that troops neutralised another terrorist during a fighting patrol at Nanewa in Tarmuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State on April 20, recovering arms and motorcycles.
Onoja further disclosed that nine captives who escaped from the Mandara Mountains were rescued by troops on April 22.
“Troops subsequently repelled an attempted re-capture by terrorists from the Gava axis. The victims, comprising women and children, were administered first aid and placed in protective custody,” he said.
He also revealed that troops arrested a suspected terrorist logistics supplier at a checkpoint near Geidam in Yobe State.
“The suspect was conveying 15 sacks of Premium Motor Spirit concealed in sachet water bags aboard a tricycle. Preliminary investigation showed the consignment was meant for terrorist elements in Kanama, Dekwa, and Bultuwa,” Onoja added.
He said troops also neutralised four terrorists who infiltrated Kanama town in Yunusari Local Government Area, while a suspect linked to inciting materials and terrorist activities was arrested in Monguno, Borno State.
